The Holidays Blahs

I can’t seem to get into the spirit this year. Early today, for a brief moment, I felt somewhat spirited when NPR played a medley of Christmas songs performed by a brass band. It was very festive and I found myself happily humming along, but when the songs were over, my Christmas spirit swirled away like smoke in a stiff breeze.

I’ve watched several Christmas movies, hoping that would do it. First up was Fred Claus (which I reviewed on this site). Quite frankly, it wasn’t quite good enough to get me in the holiday spirit and secondly, we watched it before Thanksgiving. I refuse think about Christmas until after Turkey Day is over (by at least a week or two). This past weekend, I watched Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. This is Ryan’s all-time favorite Christmas movie and I am forced to watch it around this time every year. Last night, we watched Elf (a much better movie than Fred Claus). Even though it was funny watching Will Ferrell run around in tights, it didn’t do a whole lot for my attitude.

Still, I am feeling a little like Scrooge. I don’t feel like putting up decorations, I certainly don’t feel like putting up a tree (what a bother) and I really, really don’t like the idea of going to the mall to compete with the mobs over made-in-China junk!!

I guess I’m going to have to pull out my favorite Christmas movie, The Christmas Story. Perhaps if I remind myself of the real reason for the season – obtaining a Red Ryder BB gun – I will dig myself out of this shroud of gloom and begin to enjoy this season of giving.